Exactly like it sounds, writing to inform. Often it does not include the authors opinion. We use informative writing more than one might consider. Some examples include resume writing, writing a letter to describe a situation, note to the editor, leaving instructions for the house sitter, really all facets of life. It is an important skills to develop.
Bellow you will find an example mentor text of an Informational Essay in the form of an Author Biography!
Janet Stevens
In the Beginning Janet Stevens was born in Dallas, TX in 1953. Growing up, Janet moved often. Her father was in the Navy and her family moved more than 10 times (almost once every school year). Janet now lives in Boulder, CO. She has two adult children, Lindsey and Blake, and a beloved dog Mamacita (who’s influence can be seen in many of her books). The family has always shared a tradition of reading together. When her kids were young, Janet made reading as a family a daily ritual. As they got older, the children read to Janet while she illustrated pieces for her newest work. Family members would even be known to share great passages from individual readings. In 1975 Janet graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder. She has worked in many different areas such as advertising, textile design, and architectural illustration. It was not until 1979 that Janet got her first break in children’s literature and became a published illustrator. Over the last 35 years, Janet has continued to work diligently in the realm of children’s literature. She has served several roles as an illustrator, an illustrator/re-teller and an illustrator/author of books. Janet has illustrated 29 works, retold and illustrated 15 works and authored and illustrated 10 works. Additionally, she has worked in conjunction with her sister Susan Stevens Crummel on many of the pieces. With more than 55 contributions to children’s literature, Janet Stevens is a role model and inspiration to many young learners. (Something About the Author)
School Days From childhood, Janet preferred to express herself through drawing. In school she would depict her learning visually often taking notes in the form of images. Although many of her teachers did not appreciate Janet’s learning preference, this helped Janet organize her thinking and demonstrate her understanding. She was not the strongest in school and felt her siblings excelled beyond her. She moved often and always felt like she had to impress her peers to make them like her. Janet was always drawn to art and drawing but school was a challenge her. A love of literature did not develop until later when Janet began to fall into books and imagine herself in far out places. (Janet Stevens Illustrations)
Animals with People Problems Depicting bears in tutus and Hawaiian shirts, a dog with an advice column and colonies of prairie dogs uniting, Janet has a playful and imaginative style. Always an animal lover, Janet could not have pets growing up because her family moved so frequently. She chose to invent a world in her head with creativity and imagination. Many of Janet’s main characters display anthropomorphism or animals with human characterizes. In Help Me, Mr. Mutt, the main character, Mr. Mutt offers an advice column for other dogs with problems such as achy backs, children that make them dress up, and masters that put them on frequent diets. Mr. Mutt offers playful solutions to these human like scenarios. Janet’s complex imagery and inventiveness bring her characters to life. Children and adults alike enjoy her sophisticated yet simple style. (Something About the Author)
Inspiring Children “I’ve always loved to draw and read- and I love children- so what a great combination for a career in illustration and writing children’s books, (Janet Stevens Illustrations),” Janet once said. It seems like a natural connection. Still, Janet is not just an author/illustrator she is a literacy advocate. Janet’s down to earth and honest attitude have helped her inspire children, teachers, and others to take the time to really enjoy a good book. She explains how she likes to use her imagination while she is reading and writing. She encourages kids and families to act out favorite books and pretend to be a character, rewrite your own ending, retell the whole story in own words. She insists that we are all artists and writers; we just need an avenue to express it. (Janet Stevens Illustrations) On Janet’s website JanetStevens.com she describes a troubling 3rd grade experience. “It no longer mattered if I was only a Blue Jay [a low reading group]. What was important was that I was reading and liking it. And you know what happened? Reading became easier. The more I read, the better a reader I became. It’s just like basketball. You have to practice jump shots, (Janet Stevens Illustrations).” This honest reflection of something many students experience is meant to demonstrate that we are all readers. With practice and some great influences, it will come.
Awards and Criticisms Janet’s work has received a multitude of awards and honors including the Parents Choice Award, Caldecott Honor, International Reading Association Children’s Choice Award, and Reading Rainbow Selection. Although, Janet has received various honors and awards, she as also faced harsh criticism. Some have suggested that kids will not understand her puns or double meanings, her story was not seamless, or retellings should have been left in their original form. Janet has taken these criticisms in stride and continued to create her best work. (Something About the Author)
Today Janet continues to produce work and travel the country sharing her experiences, wonderful works, and has been known to create life-sized depictions of favorite characters right before the student’s eyes. Her hobbies include mountain biking, camping, hiking and skiing. "I hope I always have the opportunity to create books for children," Stevens once said, "so that my animal characters will have homes, (Janet Stevens Illustrations)." Her work is inspirational and exciting and should be shared with all aspiring writers and artists!
Bellow you will find an example mentor text of an Informational Essay in the form of an Author Biography!
Janet Stevens
In the Beginning
Janet Stevens was born in Dallas, TX in 1953. Growing up, Janet moved often. Her father was in the Navy and her family moved more than 10 times (almost once every school year). Janet now lives in Boulder, CO. She has two adult children, Lindsey and Blake, and a beloved dog Mamacita (who’s influence can be seen in many of her books). The family has always shared a tradition of reading together. When her kids were young, Janet made reading as a family a daily ritual. As they got older, the children read to Janet while she illustrated pieces for her newest work. Family members would even be known to share great passages from individual readings.
In 1975 Janet graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder. She has worked in many different areas such as advertising, textile design, and architectural illustration. It was not until 1979 that Janet got her first break in children’s literature and became a published illustrator. Over the last 35 years, Janet has continued to work diligently in the realm of children’s literature. She has served several roles as an illustrator, an illustrator/re-teller and an illustrator/author of books. Janet has illustrated 29 works, retold and illustrated 15 works and authored and illustrated 10 works. Additionally, she has worked in conjunction with her sister Susan Stevens Crummel on many of the pieces. With more than 55 contributions to children’s literature, Janet Stevens is a role model and inspiration to many young learners. (Something About the Author)
School Days
From childhood, Janet preferred to express herself through drawing. In school she would depict her learning visually often taking notes in the form of images. Although many of her teachers did not appreciate Janet’s learning preference, this helped Janet organize her thinking and demonstrate her understanding. She was not the strongest in school and felt her siblings excelled beyond her. She moved often and always felt like she had to impress her peers to make them like her. Janet was always drawn to art and drawing but school was a challenge her. A love of literature did not develop until later when Janet began to fall into books and imagine herself in far out places. (Janet Stevens Illustrations)
Animals with People Problems
Depicting bears in tutus and Hawaiian shirts, a dog with an advice column and colonies of prairie dogs uniting, Janet has a playful and imaginative style. Always an animal lover, Janet could not have pets growing up because her family moved so frequently. She chose to invent a world in her head with creativity and imagination. Many of Janet’s main characters display anthropomorphism or animals with human characterizes. In Help Me, Mr. Mutt, the main character, Mr. Mutt offers an advice column for other dogs with problems such as achy backs, children that make them dress up, and masters that put them on frequent diets. Mr. Mutt offers playful solutions to these human like scenarios. Janet’s complex imagery and inventiveness bring her characters to life. Children and adults alike enjoy her sophisticated yet simple style. (Something About the Author)
Inspiring Children
“I’ve always loved to draw and read- and I love children- so what a great combination for a career in illustration and writing children’s books, (Janet Stevens Illustrations),” Janet once said. It seems like a natural connection. Still, Janet is not just an author/illustrator she is a literacy advocate. Janet’s down to earth and honest attitude have helped her inspire children, teachers, and others to take the time to really enjoy a good book. She explains how she likes to use her imagination while she is reading and writing. She encourages kids and families to act out favorite books and pretend to be a character, rewrite your own ending, retell the whole story in own words. She insists that we are all artists and writers; we just need an avenue to express it. (Janet Stevens Illustrations)
On Janet’s website JanetStevens.com she describes a troubling 3rd grade experience. “It no longer mattered if I was only a Blue Jay [a low reading group]. What was important was that I was reading and liking it. And you know what happened? Reading became easier. The more I read, the better a reader I became. It’s just like basketball. You have to practice jump shots, (Janet Stevens Illustrations).” This honest reflection of something many students experience is meant to demonstrate that we are all readers. With practice and some great influences, it will come.
Awards and Criticisms
Janet’s work has received a multitude of awards and honors including the Parents Choice Award, Caldecott Honor, International Reading Association Children’s Choice Award, and Reading Rainbow Selection.
Although, Janet has received various honors and awards, she as also faced harsh criticism. Some have suggested that kids will not understand her puns or double meanings, her story was not seamless, or retellings should have been left in their original form. Janet has taken these criticisms in stride and continued to create her best work. (Something About the Author)
Today
Janet continues to produce work and travel the country sharing her experiences, wonderful works, and has been known to create life-sized depictions of favorite characters right before the student’s eyes. Her hobbies include mountain biking, camping, hiking and skiing. "I hope I always have the opportunity to create books for children," Stevens once said, "so that my animal characters will have homes, (Janet Stevens Illustrations)." Her work is inspirational and exciting and should be shared with all aspiring writers and artists!
"Stevens, Janet 1953–." Something About the Author. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 22 Oct. 2014 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.
"Janet Stevens Illustrations." Janet Stevens Illustrations. Web. 20 Oct. 2014. <http://www.janetstevens.com>.